CP Foods and AKVA cooperate in shrimp farming

Thai food conglomerate Charoen Phokphand Foods Ltd.(CPF) and the Norwegian aquaculture technology supplier AKVA group ASA, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop a complete new production system for the production of white shrimp.

This new system will utilise AKVA's recirculation technology and CPF's broad knowledge in shrimp farming.

CPF is working actively to improve their production methods and technology. A natural next step for the shrimp farming industry is to utilize new technological opportunities to address many of the challenges of the industry and society today.

Dr. Chingchai Lohanawatanakul, Chairman of the executive Board, of CPF said: “This strategic cooperation agreement with AKVA is an important step for us in our strive towards a transformation of the shrimp farming industry.

“By this project we are addressing important issues for the industry such as; the level of which marine resource and land areas are utilized; the escape of shrimp from farms to interfering with wild stocks; the control of diseases and efficient battling of parasites; the elimination of, and risks of pollution from shrimp farms and other possible effects on the habitats where the farming is done.

“Further to this we believe that the technology that this strategic cooperation agreement will produce has the potential also to limit the carbon footprint of the produced shrimp significantly.”

Full scale prototype

The first step of the strategic cooperation includes developing a full scale prototype of a 200 tonne/year intensive facility for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), as an integrated solution.

“For AKVA group this is an important step forward in our development in the Asian market and the furthering of our recirculation technology in the global market.

“We appreciate the initiatives and eagerness that CPF is showing in this project and are looking forward to the results from this cooperation for both parties,” said Knut Molaug, CEO of AKVA group